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Air Force, Navy join forces at joint base dental clinic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 87th Dental Clinic has seen an increase in appointments since the 87th Air Base Wing stood up in March 2009.

The clinic, originally designed to care for all active-duty Air Force servicemembers, now serves as the primary dental treatment facility for all active-duty Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard servicemembers.

"We're trying to pool all resources together under one roof," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffery McWaine, JB MDL Dental Clinic superintendent. "With all of us under one roof we get the chance to build camaraderie with our sister services."

The recent addition of Marine and Navy servicemembers put an even greater strain on the clinic, forcing the staff to look for helping hands Fortunately, they received help from a retired naval dental officer.

George Woronkodds, JB MDL Dental Clinic general dentist, answered the clinic's call by offering his assistance. Starting out as an officer in the Air Force, Woronkodds decided to transfer to the Navy where he served as a naval dental officer for 23 years.

"I'm excited to work in a group environment and continue my education from the specialists here," said Worronkodd. "I have worked with the military for years and plan on helping them anyway I can."

Woronkodd earned a Masters in dentistry from George Washington University and Bachelors degree from Georgetown University. He currently works as a general dentist at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., but will work at the 87th Dental Clinic every Tuesday.

"I felt in the spirit of jointness I would help the clinic out as much as I could," said Woronkodds.

Every Tuesday, Woronkodds will help with dental examinations, restorative, general and oral surgery procedures. His help will provide the clinic with four extra days a month to catch up on appointments.

"His role is to help augment the clinics appointment capacity," said McWaine. "He will also provide the office with a wealth of knowledge and another approach to dentistry."

The dental clinic's mission is to achieve oral health, ensure readiness and proudly serve the joint base servicemembers. The clinic also performs their everyday tasks with the Air Force core values in mind: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 754-3786 to schedule an appointment or for more information on what the clinic offers.